Freebie challenge

[ALAN GEDDES]

Can I build my freebie loaner in three weeks for no money except the HF Chassis, glue and screws ? I will start tomorrow and do some creative scrounging for the next three weeks. Will update progress every few days.

[Arne]

When I built mine in a month of solid attention, I had not taken into account time spent here, time spent on the phone ordering parts and discussing options, time spent making many trips to home depot and the hardware store.... and time making decisions...

And, it was a full month with only 2 days off, starting 'work' by 8 a.m. and quiting about 5 p.m., with a quick lunch.

[Marck]

Alan, so far on my six pack, I have only bought the frames ($20.00 for the 2) screws, glue and liqued nails.
The 3/4 ply for the floors was free, I reused the 2x2 from the 2 campers torn down, and 80% of the wood is......2x4 s from the 8 foot pallets that we get large orders on at Wal-Mart... OH and I ripped 2 2x12s down to 1/8th in strips to make the glue lam frame...The 2x12s were the platforms on some scaffolding that we used at Wal-Mart to re-paint the front of the store.

Now I am hoping to come up with some free 1/4 ply from somewhere.
I have a boatload of 1 inch blue styro insulation scraps, but willo need to come up with more... time to call some old contractor friends

It CAN be done.... just have to scavenge like mad, and see the good in any old piece of junk lying around.

[ALAN GEDDES]

If the weather and the health hold out I think I can do it.. It may not be pretty though. Paint over cd ply for right now. The interior should be nice though. Going out in the morning and see if I can get a Dodge Caravan rear suspension for $75 or less with two good tires. If so then I'll weld my chassis and beat the HF price. 2x2 angle frame with 2x3 rectangular tongue. Already have hitch and chain.

[ALAN GEDDES]

Got rid of a few cases of old floor tile for hubs and wheels and am scrapping an old VW for the money to buy steel. Just need a pair of good used tires and some tail lights two 500lb springs and will have everything for frame. Start cutting and welding in the morning. Chassis should be a roller by COB Wed.

[Nick Taylor]

Alan,

A cheap source for good hubs and wheels for a trailer are old FWD Chryslers. I built a trailer to go with my old Dodge Rampage and had an square tube axle custom made. The stub axles (spindles) on the back of a FWD Chrysler product (such as a K-car, Daytona, Shadow, Minivans, etc.) work nicely since they are flat on the back and mount with four bolts. Then you just use the brake drum for your hub. I was originally going to use another Rampage rear axle but it was just too heavy for what I was making and I wanted a different drop for the trailer. I was able to use the same wheels for both my truck and trailer.

I can take a picture of the setup for you if you want, but if you go to a junk yard and look at the rear of one of these vehicles you'll see what I mean. The parts are cheap.

Nick.

[ALAN GEDDES]

Got the rear hubs off of a VW Golf/Rabbit. Have nice 3 sided flat section on the rear to weld in square tube. Friend of mine usd to make trailers at home and suggested this. They are pretty well self aligning. Have used K Car stuff before. For heavier trailer you can't beat a Dodge Caravan rear suspension. Just have to narrow it but it is heavy.

[ALAN GEDDES]

Steel wasn't ready on day two so I built the floor. Pick up steel in the afternoon. $5.65 invested so far includes all steel for frame, hubs, hitch and chain and floor with carpeting. Welding will be no cost at brother in laws body shop.

[Arne]

sounds like you are doing great.... I was hundreds deeper in the hole by that point...

[ALAN GEDDES]

I've got around $1300.oo in my own Tear. This projesct is to build for under $200.oo I hope. I want it as a loaner to anyone who wants to try a tear; friends relatives and our dreamers and visitors here on the forum. I won't be upset if it gets abused or damaged or even stolen if I can keep the investment down. Just think it would be a great way to get more people interrested our Wee little beasties.

[ALAN GEDDES]

Day 3 of build. Steel cut; will weld up tommorow. Wish I had a darn digital camera. Bought good quality exterior paint (customer returned item/wrong color) at Home depot and some construction adhesive $15.25. Total So far $20.90.

[mikeschn]

Your digital camera is going to cost you more than the whole teardrop that you are building. But it's worth it, to share your adventures with us.

I'm thinking we need to loan that teardrop to Andrew, so he can get to designing again. I'm thinking, we should loan it to him in the middle of winter over there, to get his winter teardrop juices flowing!!!

Mike...

Look at the alternative... he's going to blow compressed smoke at you...

[angib]

...to get his winter teardrop juices flowing

Now I'm not at all sure that the flowage of my juices is a fit subject for public discussion....

And I'm working on a winter trailer design already. More on this late breaking design as it happens....

Andrew

[ALAN GEDDES]

Had to buy springs, hangers and such and two rims. $45.25. Total so far $66.15. Frame all cut and tackwelded but can't get to the good welder till Monday so I will get sides cut and up and rear bulkead and such this weekend if the weather stays good. Building this one under my EZ UP.

[ALAN GEDDES]

$5.20 nuts and bolts to hang springs. $71.35. Raining cats and dogs. No progress today.